Category Archives: News

News, Wildlife

CSF Hosts 2nd Annual ‘California Wine, Wings & Wildlife’ Event in Sonoma

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

On June 29, in the heart of California’s wine country, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) gathered members of the sportsmen’s conservation community and other supporters for the 2nd Annual ‘California Wine, Wings & Wildlife,’ western regional event.

This event offered an opportunity for Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members from the western United States and supporters of the sportsmen’s conservation community to discuss regional and federal policy priorities. It commenced with a sporting clays competition at the Wing & Barrel Ranch, followed by a wine reception and dinner.

CSF President Jeff Crane welcomed attendees. “We are fortunate to have strong supporters of the hunting and angling community in a beautiful place like Sonoma. Thank you to Members of Congress and CSF partners for joining us to discuss and celebrate the future of hunting and angling.” Crane also announced the sporting clays competition “Top Gun” shooter: Larry Turley, of Turley Wine Cellars.

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Interesting Places, News

Orange County Park Ranger Badge

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

When you visit an OC Park, you’re greeted by Park Rangers and members of the Ranger Reserves.  They’re special group of men and women who serve our county and help visitors enjoy our beautiful spaces.  One aspect of the Park Ranger uniform is the unique badge that identifies the individual.

Throughout the history of the Orange County Ranger program, there has only been on official department issued badge.  It is a gold-tone solid-back “pinched” shield with a reverse blue ribbon cloisonne across the top with the words “PARK RANGER” in raised letters.  Below that, the county seal appears in reverse cloisonne, and a reverse blue ribbon with the words “PARKS – BEACHES” below that.  There is a small raised square to engrave the badge number.  If the number is proceeded by an “R” the badge was issued to a Reserve Park Ranger.  The back of the badge is hallmarked “Entenmann-Rovin.”

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News

What hikers do and do NOT do…

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The Sacramento Bee is reporting that the CHP has rescued a “hiker” from the Pacific Crest Trail.  The guy they rescued was only 12 hours into his hike when young Dartagnan ran out of water “due to the drought” and became lost.

There are a number of things that I find questionable about this story.  Not that the guy wandering around was named Dartagnan, not the silliness about the drought causing him to run out of water, and not even that he became lost after 12 hours of hiking (at night) on a part of the trail that is fairly easy to see.

From the article:

“He scampered into the open beyond the tree line where pilot Souza was able to make a landing at the edge of a cliff.”

Just so that we’re clear: Hikers hike.  They don’t “scamper.”  Ever.

You can read the whole strange tale HERE.

News

California’s drought is 100% the fault of environmentalism

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

I have long said that environmentalism is the bane of the planet. Environmentalists are largely to blame for most of the world’s ills – and certainly 100% of the blame for California’s drought is rightly centered on them and their idiotic meddling with nature. We would not be where we are today as Californians if we didn’t listen to environmentalists.  See my earlier post Unnatural Forests about why environmentalism is wrong-headed, and why conservation is the right thing to do.

…and we’d be MUCH further ahead of the game if we didn’t just “take the word” of so-called “reporters” who seem to be just making things up as they go along so they can get a paycheck. Truth be damned!

The latest “statistic” foisted on us by “reporters” is that California’s agriculture uses up 80% of the water in California.

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National Forests, News

Nestle pumping water out of the San Bernardino Forest without a valid permit

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Nestle Waters North America – the bottler of Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water (one of my absolute favorites bottled waters; yes, I am a water snob!) – is in a bit of trouble over their water extraction operation in the San Bernardino National Forest.  It appears that during California’s current environmentalist caused drought catastrophe, Nestle has been pumping out water under permits that may have expired as far back as 1988.

Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water, which takes its name from a natural rock formation in the San Bernardino Mountains that’s shaped like a giant arrowhead, is a brand of drinking water that is sold primarily in the western United States, including California, Arizona, and the Pacific Northwest.  The company was acquired by Nestlé in 1987 – a year before the oldest permit expired.

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